Are Municippal Voters That Stupid

That they elect people who don't have the intelligence to recognize that THERE IS ONLY ONE BLOODY TAXPAYER and if you can't afford to provide a service you don't provide the service. Pickup the garbage, keep the streets and our homes safe and in good shape, provide recreational facilities and that's about it.

Divided, they stand
June 02, 2007

Canada's big-city mayors agree on what they want from Ottawa, but differ on how to get it. Toronto's Mayor David Miller has been urging an active role for municipalities in the next federal election, while other civic leaders, especially in the West, prefer keeping clear of federal politics. This internal division may worry some urban advocates, but it need not harm the ongoing effort to win a better deal for cities.

True, there would be some benefit to having large municipalities pursue a uniform strategy in dealing with Ottawa. But there could be value, too, in deploying a variety of approaches to get what cities need.

Big-city mayors at least have a shared set of demands. They want one cent of every six cents collected through the goods and services tax, a national transit strategy with long-term funding for commuter systems, and money for immigrant services and other programs.

Miller has boldly advocated using political pressure at election time to garner support for this urban agenda, especially the "One Cent Now" campaign. In his inaugural address to city council in December, he warned politicians facing re-election in Ottawa and Queen's Park that they ignore Toronto at their peril. But Western leaders seem less militant. Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier says he would play no role in a federal election and Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco also declined an active part in a federal contest.

This spilt could be a strength rather than a weakness.

While Miller takes a more aggressive stance and threatens to work to deny uncooperative federal parties some of Toronto's 23 seats, other mayors could work behind the scenes, quietly cajoling candidates. There is considerable resistance to the cities' agenda. Prime Minister Stephen Harper remains unmoved and had little to offer in a speech yesterday to the mayors. To advance, effort is needed at every level.

The mayors agree on where the federal government should go. How each chooses to push it there is of secondary importance – as long as all strive in their own way to drive Ottawa forward.